davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26
"Mason and Diron,s Ltne.o

The parallel of latitude SO deg. 4;
min. 2G.3 sec. north--the line separating
Pennsylvania from Maryland is tha
which has been known as Mason's and
D.xon's line. l. begins at the north
west corner of Maryland and runs due
west to the southwestern limit of Penn
~sylvania. During the first half of the
eighteenth century there was constant
discussion and quarrels between the
rival proprictaries of Pennsylvania and
Maryianl on the subject of their common
boundary, and along the border were
frequent riots, often ending in blood,
she'd. At last the authorities of the two
States determined upon having the mat
ter settled, and Charles Mason and Jere-
miah Dixon, two distinguished Englis'i
m thena'icjans aud astronomers, were
sent for to survsy the boundary. They
arrived in Philadelphia Nov. Is, 1868,
and began their work in December.
They surveyed over 244 miles in spite Of
the great difficulties met with in the
wild country, and had but thirty-slx
miles further to carry their survey when
they were compelled to suspend opera,
tions in consequence Of attacks by the
Indians. They returned to P liladelphia,
and were discharged Dec. rs, 1867. In
laying out the line they had planted a,
every fifth mile a stone which was en-.
graved with the arms of the Penn family
on one side and those of Lord Baltimore
the other. The intermediate miles
were marked with smaller stones HAVING
the letters III. and P. on their opposite
sides. These stones were all sent from
England. II November, 1889, Colonel
Alexander MeC.eal, OF Pennsylvania,
and Joseph Neville, of Virginia, ran the
remaining part of the line, which was
corrected by astronomical observations
and permanently marked in 1884. In
1S4S a revision of the former SURVEYS
was made and they were found to be es-
sentially C ,rrect. As this line marked
The northern lines-except for small
portions of Virginia and Maryland-of
original slave States, it came into
mention in the slavery c~ontro.
versi,s which preceded the war
Inter O,.ean.
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26

The st. Lonis Globe Democrat has Sc.
cured the expert testimony of a peanut
vendor concerning the wares he deals in
and their proper use, The vendor tells
the public that peanut roasting is a gift
Of nature, not an acquired ar. "a good
%roaster, like agood cook, be says, Unjust
be born with certain qualifications that
c1nnot be reached by trying to educate
him to it. Some dealers roast the nut
too little aid others too much. Roast
ptheR%too much and the oil is taken from
the, and If the oil is not properly
brought out the nut has a dlsagreeablc
taste. Some people like peanuts hot,
but then they arc very bad for the teeth.
Dyspeptics should eat very few. l find
from my WI experience that it would
be better il they did not eat any. The
average peanut eater eats one every
minute, which is entirely too fast" Ne
wish % add o our responsibility that
one should ,ssever eat peanuts in a par,or
without consent OF the hostess, and that
is eating them in abox at the
opera It is not now considered good form
40 shy the shells ut a bald headed gentle
men IL HE rarquctte.
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26

A1bad boy came before a Judge in a
Cleveland court recently, charged with
assaulting his mother. He was an old
offender, and in committing the lad the
judge remarked: ''The boy is not re-
sponslble for what he does. There is
something wrong in his blood. He'll kill
you some day you or somebody else
and then, when he's charged with muir
der, they'll introduce a plea of insanity.
twill be sustained, too. The boy ought
to be locked up. He's been before this
court for almost every offence from sus-
picion up and down. Costs and six
months" Such a case as this brings up
interesting questions of how far crime is
q disease.
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26
Keep to the Rtght.

There is a curious disregard to the
rights of Others exhibited in one way
upon the streets that is almost universal,
and its effects are seen in the constant
jostling received while trying to make
way through a crowd. 1t is the neglect
Of the rule to keep to the right Of the
walk as far as possible, and not zigzag
across this way and that, leaving the
future course an absolute uncertainty to
those coming from the opposite direc-
ton. A larger proportion of women
break this rule than of men, and perhaps
this is one cf the reasons why a days
shopping causes such utter WEAKNESS,
almost to exhaustion. Sometimes three
or four will spreal out across the walk,
and with a grenadier aspect, a won't
give-an-inch look, march the length of
a square, compelling everybody to dodge
Ole way or the other il order to avoid
being run over. If everybody would
keep to the right the Jams and jostles''
which are SO common upon the street
might easily be avoided. Then add to
this rule another, to always give a little
room instead of selling all that can be
had through superior weight or energy
of push, and walking would become far
less wearisome.- Toledo Blade.
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26
The Rons, Reda.no,a.

Now, instead of turning our boys of
with the coolest, most ~inconvcnient
room in the house and make a sort of
lumber bedroom of it for him to go into
only when his bed time comes, and out
OF it as soon as possible when his rising
time comes; without one beloved cozy
corner, or pretty picture, to rest his
eyes upon while he. fingers about his
morning Bible reading, or about the de-
tails Of his toilet, (Which, indeed he can
not finish in his room because there are,
very likely, no conveniences) let us in.
stitute a system of equality in planning
the bedrooms of our children, making it
q point to always keep the boys''room as
pretty and cozy as the girls and as
scrupulously clean, rather than barely
furnished with only the strictest neces-
saries, and in, to say the least, a state Of
questionable order. In these days of
cheap, bright pictures and fabrics, which
latter are also durable, certainly most
mothers may without stinting the needs
OF the household, adorn and furnish her
boys bedroom if only it be already
supplied with a bed and toilet set. If
means to buy the other articles are lack
ing, some packing boxes and a few yards
of the Inexpensive material above
mentioned used to upho.ster them will
cost but little except the time used in
getting them into shape; and the result
of a few hours lab r and the expense
(of perhaps 81 will be the conversion Of
the Sahara of q room into a palace in
which the boy will love. to linger, feel
ing a pleasant sense of possession, and
to which, he will bring with pride AMI
delight his young friends when they
visit him, as he has seen his sister do.
Here, a~tleast, he.i is safe from the hust-
ling orders Of any elder sisters he may
to possess, who may have q pro-
to monopolize, as elder sisters
often do all the coy hooks in the house;
at least, is outside their dominions.
-[Good Housekeeping.
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26

According to the estimate of Edward
Atkinson that the average production Of
each man, woman and child in the
UnitedsStates is the equivalent of 5000
per mum on an average, it requires the
labor Of nearly 400, 900 to pay our an
nual pensions. No other country in the
world begins to do anything like this for
it's soldiers. 1t takes nearly $50, 900, 900 20
pay the pensions this year, which is more
than the total expenditures Of the gen.
eral government before the war.
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26
Recipe for d Lo,an liz

: a New Hampshire woman, aged so
years, when asked recently how she haG
Kept herself 50 vigorous and healthy.
repl'ed; BY never allowing myself to
'ret over things ] cannot help. by taking
2 nap and sometimes t,o cvery day Of
my iiie, BY never taking my washing,
ironing and baking to bed with me. and
py ollIng all the yariou; wheels Of a busy
we with an implicit faith that there is a
brain and 4 heart to this great universe,
and that could trust them .oth.n-
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26
safe VI b Eufsa BIZ 8.stlcts.

30. Hard Giddens Of Bcrricn cou II.
Georgia, ii proud Of bis war record.
He enlisted 81 the beginning 81 the rc-
bslllon and fonsht through the VA. ii
the battle # chickamauga his clothing
xas torn "a tsventy-ssven places BY bull
iets. only two Of which touched his aesle
cutting the skin On the left hin aud
fszing the little finger of the left hand.
0ae bullet cut his shoe-string ID two,
another burst bis canteeu, one cut his
cartFiage-belt II two, ono tore The Leaf of
Pig cap of and 4 shot tho bFssch 81
'has gua n tATo while he was shooting.
Hls regiment vent into ne feld with
sever hunaged men and came out NTH
aapoaf twenty seven. His company were
az Killed. vsaallea and captured exespt
0ns. sna d eIoshins sal xldaled viii
Naw WI sun
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26
Royal BODIES Well Preserved.

Edward I, who died in 1907, was
foufd not decayed 463 years subsequent
ly. The flesh on the face was q little
wasted, but not putrid. The body of
Canute, who died in 1917, was found
fresh in 1865. Those of William the
%Conqueror and his wife were perfect in
1922. In 1863 three,R Roman soldiers. in
the dress of their country, fully equip
ped with arms, were dus out of a peat
mass near Aberdeen. They were quite
fresh and plump after a lapse of about
1900 years.
In 1717 the bodies of Lady Kilsyth
and her infant were embalmed. In 1896
they were found as perfect as in the
hour they were embalmed. Every fea-
ture and limb was full. The infants
features were as composed as if he had
only beer asleep for eighty years. His
color was as fresh and his flesh as plump
and full as in the perfect glow of health.
The smile Of infancy and innocence was
on his lips. At a little distance it was
difficult to distinguish whether Lady
Kisyth was alive or dead. The ques-
ton is: What preservation was used.
and how applied Medical Monthly.
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26

A Santa Barbara (Cal.) newspaper
laments that the prodigal distribution of
Indian curios and relics has resulted in a
scarcity Of these interesting souvenirs.
Not thong since says that journal, 'the
schoclboy hurled prehistoric molar teeth
at the thoughtlcss chip bird, and inno-
cent urchins defrauded each other of
shell beads and wampum exhumed from
tunuli at the interesting and intricate
sgame known in the native dialect as
Mexican fat Now a good string of
shell and bone beads is worth $50, and
unless q manufacturing establishment is
added to the other marks of Santa
Barbara's progress, Indian relics will be-
exhausted and fragments of old shin
bones and such interesting brio a-brac
become ~extinct.p
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26

It seems that the idea of attempting to
defeat nature by going without food is
in no sense a novelty. London Notes
and Queries cites an instance which &C.
cured in 1857, during the reign of Ell
ward III, of a woman who was consigned
to. Nottingham prison for life for the
murder Of her husband, who held her
sc3fmAhult food -.or drink forty days.
Her .eKneriment served a practical pur-
pose, for it moved his majesty's heart to
pity, and he ordered her liberation.
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26
Chinese Ginmks.

Chang, the giant. has returned to
Shanghai. Chang WI Yao, who went
to England first in 1865, is-a native Of
Fychow, and all his relations were big
people; his father and grandfather and
bis sister were all taller than he is, his
sister being some 10 inches taller, ANA he
stands feet inches. One Of his
brothers sope 10 years ago weighed a
picul u531.3 pounda) more Than, be
himself did san Francisco Alta.
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26
Three Steps In Life.
.osas climb the ne.dan wall

IHTSe Steps eU LVGs
Theroses climb the garden wal,
they scent the summer air;
The blue sky benin down over all
Binds sing wi:hous a care,
The flowers reach up toward the sum-
And brighten till the day is done,
o, life! thou art so fair.
The shadows lengthen down the walk,
And down my life a, well;
J hear but orr w's moan ng talk
She loves her grief TO tell;
I scarce do know--I scarce do know, =
If skies are blue Or flowers grow,
Or birds pipe in the dell.
The tlack night droppeth-hangeth low;
But through the riffs / see
The stars like beacon fires, to glow
And fash their lights to Inc,
know know full well some day
The LACK, dread night will roll away
The dawning I shall see.
Mem Linton in Inter Ocean.
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26

and clenched my hands, and tried to
collect my scattered ideas and decide
what was best to be done. Meanwhile,
Morgan sat on a rail near the boiler
Adurishing a shovel and shouting up.
r3ariously. The train rushed on with
incledib speed, not steadily and even.
ly, but with leaps and bounds, that
Threatened to cast the engine off the line
at every yard. There was no doubt that
the man was as mad as a man can be,
and he was also master of the situation.
Imade one effort to reach the handle by
which the steam is turned off; but the
madman was too sharp for me. "No,
you don'tp he shouted. He brought
his shovel down with a tremendous blow
on the rail at my side, just missing my
head. 1t was plain I could do nothing
by force. Would stratagem be of any usea
] looked out to the country; time was
running short: we were not more than
twenty miles from Blinton Junction ;and
if we did not stop there, the whole train
must be inevitably wrecked, and proba-
bly, not one passenger would escape un-
injured, and but few with their lives. I
looked back to tho train. Outside the
windows hands were gesticulating, and
frightened, alarmed faces. At the end
of the train the guard was waving a red
flag, Something must be done, and by
me, Or we should all be inevitably lost.
made up my mind. turned to Nor
gan with a smile on my face and said:
'O.d boy, you're quite right; this is a
fine pace; but it amt quite fast enough.
Look herev' and caught him by the
arm and led him to the side of the en-
CINE, next to the double rail. "seein I
cried, ''there is another train coming up
faster than us and she will pass US; we
mnst go faster; but let's see first who is
driving her; lean forward and look. Can
you see?"
The poor maniac stepped outside the
rail and leaned forward to look for the
imaginary train, when l gave him a sud-
den push, and he fell in a heap on the
side rails and was killed on the spot.
With a gasp of relief I sprang to the en-
CINE and turned eff the steam. It
was not a moment too soon. We were
well in sight of Blinton Junction before
| had the train under control. pulled
up all right, and then tainted.
When / came to I was lying on a bench
in the waiting-room, and the inspector
was standing over me, with his note
book in his hand, prepared to take
down my statement. What stated was,
that the engine-driver had gone mad, and
that, to save the lives of the passengers,
| had knocked him off the engine just IN
to get the train under control be.
fore running into the station. This was
~corroborated by the guard and several
passengers; and the case was brought be-
fore the solicitors of the company. /
gave my evidence at the inquest, and
heard no more in the matter until one
lay the passenger superintendent handed
ne ten sovereigns and a letter appointing
ne station master at Little milford. It
vas evident the directors condoned my
conduct; and | hope that my readers
will agree with them, and, in considera-
ion of my having saved a train full of
will acquit me of murder and
in a verdict of justifiable homicide.
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26

The Belgian government has intror
duced in parliament a bill to suppress
drunkenness. 1t provides that drunk
ards in public places and publicans serv-
ing 5runkards or children shall be fined
and imprisoned, and that debt incurred
in purchasing intoxicants shall not be
recoverable.
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26
"A 1f2gsce pie H0,eynr.

Wife-You talked ID your sleep last
night John, and you mentioned mothers
name.
Hnsband-That soa II must have
beer that mince pie i ate before going
Il oed.-THarper's Bazar.
The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26
Prof. Baird says that as q fish has

Prof. Baird says that as a fish has no
maturity there is nothing to prevent 1t
from living indefinitely and growing con
tinually, He cites il proof 4 pike living
II Russia whose age dated back to tie
fifteenth century. Il the royal aquarium
81. Petersburg there are ash that have
been there 40 years.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-05-12
LEPROSY-

and consequently incurablc II is impossible to dc:
scribc her suiIcrings. Her body from the crown OF
herhead % The soes Of her feet was mass OF decay
asses Of flesh rotting of and leaving great cavities
Her fnrcrs festcrcd and three or four nails dropped
81 M one time Her limbs contracted by the fearful
liberation and for several wears she did not leave
her bed Her weight was reduced from 10 10 60 lbs.
Perhaps some faint idea OF her condition can be
cleaned from the fact that three poguds q Cosmo'
line or ointment were used per wees in dressing her
sores. Finally the physicians Acknowledged Their
defeat hv this Black Nolf and commended the sur
ferer o. her ali-visc Creator
Her husband hearing wonderful reports Of the use
Of SwlFr's SPECIFIC IS ). -, prevailed ON her 10
trvitas last resort She began It's use under pro-
test but soon found that her system was beng re,
leved Of the poison. as the sores assumed red and
healthy color. Is though the blood vas becoming
pure and active. Mrs Bailey continued the ; ;; >
until last February; every sore was hcaled she as
carded chair and CrutChc, and was Tor the nIst TINE
In twelve years a well woman. lle- husband, Mt
O. A Bailey is In business at 111 blackstone Street
Boston, and will take pleasure IN giving the details
Of this wonderful cure. send 20 us for Treatise on
Blood and skin Diseases, mailed free.
Tue SWIFT SPECIFIC Co, Drawer 8, Atlanta Gs
Dec @. 1856.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-05-12

Here are some figures and rules very
handy to know and have at hand, in the
mind or ON paper
A rod Is TO- feet or - yards.
\ mile is 800 rods.
A mile is $50 wards.
\ mile is $3.50 feet.
4 square foot is IA square inches.
4 square yard contains nine square
feet.
A square rod is 272l square feet
An acre contains $3.50 square feet.
An acre contains $50 square yards
An acre contains 100 square rods.
\ section or square mile contains $40
acres.
A quarter section contains 1850 acres.
An acre Is s rods wide and 20 rods
long
An acre is 10 rods wide by 10 rods
long.
An acre l. about 2OS feet square.
A solid foot contains I, 72S solid inches.
\ pint of water weighs I pound.
A solid foot of water weighs 81
pounds.
A gallon .of water holds 251 solid
inches.
a gallon of milk weighs S pounds and
10 ounces.
A pint Cof water holds Is, solid inch
es (2S.S75).
A barrel Ol3l gallons holds ( solid
feet )42lI.
a solid foot contains nearly >! solid
pints l7.4Sl.
A bushel struck contains 2,l50 solid
sinches.
\ bushel Dheapingl contains / Z struck
bushels.
y struck bushel contains about solid
feet.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-05-12
CONNECTIONS.

AT Hagerstown, Nd, with the Western Mary
land Railroad to and from Baltimore, Frederick
Emmittsburg, Gettysburg, Penmar, Wayncs-
boro, Pa, and points on Western Maryland
Railroad and its branches.
With Cumberland Valley Railroad to & from
Harrisburg, Carlisle, Shippcnsburg, Chambers
burg, Mercersburg, Martinsburg, and points on
the Cumberland Valley Railroad and branches
Also to and from Pittsburg and the West and
Northwest, and Boston, New York, Philadel-
phia and North and East.
At Shenandoah Junction, VIVA, with Main
Line of Baltimore and Ohio to and from Wash
ingt0n.
At Waynesboro Junction, Va, with Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railway to and from Green
brier White Sulphur Springs and Richmond.
No. makes close connection ut Waynesboro'
Junction with c. Il o. X. II. West Bound
trains.
At Loeb Laird, with Lexington Branch Of
Richmond and Allegheny Railroad
At Buchanan, with Main Line Of Rich
mond and Allegheny Railroad.
At Roanoke, with Norfolk and Western Rail
road.
STAGE CONNECTIONS.
At Boycc Station, for Wildwood and Winches.
ter, Virginia. At Troutvile for Fincastle.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-05-12
The above trains daily except Sunday,
SOUTH BOUND TRAINS.
CONNECTIONS.

Train 40 connects at Harper's Ferry with
train for Martinsburg.
Train 40 connects at Harper's Ferry with
fast limited express train for Cincinnati. d.
Louis, Chicago and all points west, northwest
and southwest.
Train 100 connects at Lexington with Rich
mond and Allegheny railroad for Lynehbnrg
Richmond and the South.
For rates, tickets baggage checks, etc, apply
10 any y. & o. agent, or to
G. Z. DUDR0W, Tray. Pass. Agl.
w. VI. CLENEyTs, Harper's Ferry, VIVA.
Manager. A. II. JOHNSON,
OK. LORD, supt. II. +. " Div.
Dec o SO. Gen'l Pass. Agt.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-05-12
GENERAL INSURANCE AGENCY
OF
B.F.LEISENRING
CHARLEsTOWN, W. VA.

Insure against fire in the following frst-class
companies:
The Lancashire Insurance Company, OF Lon
don, England. Assets, 1913, 22S.O2.
The German Insurance Company, Freeport,
Illinois. Assets, 81 ,Si3 49S.OS.
The Reading Fire Insurance Company, Pa.
100000.
The Mutual Life Insurance Company, of
New York.
The Fidelity and Casualty Company, of
New York
The National Life and Maturity Association,
of Washington, d. c., 1915 + St, Northwest.
May Is, 1856.
DARREL Roller Flour to be given away
I'D February 10. Buckwheat Flour and Honey
Try our He No Tea. {. ID. EB1.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-05-12

No. has Pullman BuiietSleeper New York
TO Chattanooga, without change, via Harrisburg
Hagerstown and Roanoke :, also makes con-
nection at Hagerstown with fast mail from
Baltimore.
No. has through connection from Phila
delpdia via Harrisburg and C. V. Railroad, and
at Shenandoah Junction with fast express from
Baltimore andWasi dgton, via b. & o. R.R.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-05-12

WE have In stock and Will keep during the
W year, a full stock of School Books and
School supplies, such Is Copy Books, States,
Hemp Satchels Leather Bags and everything
pertaining to the School SundrieS business.
We shall have at all times a fall line of the
book, used I'M the Public Schools to sell at the
State Contract price for the Cash. Any books
not I'm stock furnished in a few days.
Sept 8, 1850. AISQUITH & co.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-05-12

No. A makes close connection Mt Waynosboro'
Junction with C.. & o. II. II. West bound
trains.
No. has Pullman Buffet Sleeper, from
Chattanooga TO New York without change
via Roanoke Hagerstown and Harrisburg.
No. 2 makes through connection via Shcn'
andoah Junction and Is. x o. II. X. for Wash
ington and Baltimore, and at Hagerstown with
w. NJ. Railroad for Baltimore, and {. V. Rail
road for Harrisburg. Philadelphia and New
York.
$50 pounds of baggage checked free to each
whole ticket. 1000 mile ticket S2ovo; y"
mile ticketsS 100.
S. Il. TYLER, o. HowAED RoYEp
Rcceirer, Gen. Pas Agi.
DAVID w. FLIcKwIR, Roanok,, Va.
c. NJ. FUTTERER, Superintendent.
Pas. Aqe,t HagerstOwn. Md.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-05-12
MISS .F.WELEE HICKS

HAS taken thestOre room on Main street, in
II building occupied by the Misses Ware,
where she viii do DRESS MAKING and FAM
lily SEWING i'm good style and at reasonable
charges She viii be pleased 20 have the pat
rOnaee of the ladies of the town and vicinity,
and viii strive 90 render satisfaction.
She has also a stock of Dress Trimmings and
Notions 20 which She invites the attention OF
the ladies.
June TO- lSS6
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-05-12
LANDRETH's SEEDS.

w have just opened fresh stock Of Lam
w dreth's Seeds. Now and during the en-
tire season We will be prepared to furnish our
customers and the public everything they may
want in this line az the most reasonable prices.
Feb. 5, IS. AISQUITH 4 co.